Camp closure on hold but not out of the woods

To The Eagle:

As a follow up to a call for citizen help I just wanted to notify the public that your response objecting to the closure of Tunerville camp has been heard and acted on.

At a meeting on December 15 that could take the award for probably the most miserable conditions that elected officials have ever attended there came a compromise. Senator Brian Hatfield, Representative Brian Blake, Representative Dean Takko, County Commissioner Jon Kaino, and all three Commissioners from Wahkiakum County stood in the rain in a circle of concerned citizens and distinguished DNR management to defend our rights to use this small primitive campground called Tunerville.

The meeting started by the DNR Region Manager explaining the scenario of severe funding cuts and more strict mandates concerning current ecology regulations. Some tough decisions about recreation sites have been made and Tunerville was among many that were listed to be closed as it has issues that do not meet the current standards. Quotes of laws and Habitat Conservation Plan regulations were presented by DNR. Responses to these mandates were met head on by Jon Kaino and Representative Brian Blake giving convincing reasons why the mandates should not apply to this camp or possible resolutions to the issues at hand. After all with budgets being cut so severely why would it make any sense to offer to close this site and open a new one that would face the same issues in this area of Washington for riparian zone. The cost would be much less to keep the existing camp and resolve the issues.

DNR conducted a tour to show their culvert and soil disturbance concerns. There was no need to view the failing outhouse as the aroma was convincing enough. Continued discussion brought a compromise that to abandon the road beyond the camp would satisfy a portion of the need for road mitigation and also relieve DNR of the culvert replacement issues. The conversation under umbrellas between officials and concerned campers brought about a promise from DNR to let the camp remain open until they have another camp in close vicinity ready for use. All agreed to a closer partnership and communication that would include our elected officials in our county, and the campers, would benefit all involved.

A signed document from DNR should be forthcoming and from there any volunteer workers or creative thinkers to address first the outhouse would be welcome to join us in our efforts to meet the needs of our recreation public and the goals of DNR together. Jewel Hardy is the named contact person to represent campers. Please call 942-3672 if you want to be on board to be informed and help brainstorm ideas. Congratulations to everyone that contributed in the combined effort in emails, calls, and letters to support keeping Tunerville open for all.

Jewel Hardy